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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Blogging at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Culinary Student Stories

The Culinary Training program launched in 2013 at no cost to students. Since then, it has provided training for over 300 people who have gone on to a career in the food industry. Our students and graduates inspire us daily.

Celebrating New Culinary Graduates

June 10, 2025

I’m a Professional: Carmen’s Story

May 7, 2025

Yaideliz’s Culinary Journey

April 14, 2025

“Patience is the key to success.”

March 4, 2025

Food is Success: How the Culinary Training Program Builds Sustainable Careers

February 19, 2025

Culinary Program Offers Immersive Training

February 13, 2025

Taking a Chance on Yourself Can Change Everything

February 10, 2025

Transforming 500 Lives… and Counting

December 6, 2024

Celebrating New Careers and 500 graduates

November 15, 2024

“It’s Not a Job, It’s a Career.”

November 8, 2024

“Find your forte and perfect it.”

October 22, 2024

A Dream Come True

October 16, 2024

Xavier Finds a Fulfilling New Career

August 19, 2024

Food is Success: Shavanee’s Story

July 24, 2024

A Recipe for Success: Suzeline is Betting on Herself

July 8, 2024

Launching New Careers: 13 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program

June 14, 2024

Transforming Lives: Dezmond’s Story

May 29, 2024

Students Explore Plant-Based Cuisine

April 15, 2024

Host a stress-free Easter with Plate Above Catering

March 7, 2024

Always Learning: Seeking growth after graduation

February 27, 2024

Cooking Up a New Career

February 20, 2024

Celebrating New Careers as 13 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program

January 24, 2024

Sharpening Skills for a Brighter Future: Stacey’s Story

December 27, 2023

Join in the Celebration

December 18, 2023

Bruce’s Story

November 30, 2023

The Sky is the Limit: Dezmond’s Story

November 22, 2023

Savoring Success: A Peek into a Culinary Trainee’s Journey

November 8, 2023

Second Harvest Combines Two Powerful Initiatives to Create Plate Above Catering

August 17, 2023

Transforming Lives: Nerlande’s Story

July 28, 2023

14 Students Graduate from Culinary Training Program, Launch New Careers

June 22, 2023

Transforming Lives: Pascale’s Story

June 5, 2023

Culinary Training Program Recognized as “Outstanding Diversity Helping Hand” by Orlando Business Journal

May 31, 2023

Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program Marks 10 Years, Looks Ahead to Celebrating More Student Success

May 2, 2023

A Sweet Treat

February 14, 2023

Tackling Poverty and Hunger in 2023

February 13, 2023
Culinary Graduation January 2023

Celebrating 16 Culinary Graduates

January 25, 2023

Top 4 Stories You Made Possible in 2022

December 22, 2022

Heart of Florida United Way Invests $100,000 in Culinary Training Program

December 21, 2022

7 Days of Deals Starts Today

December 8, 2022
Black Friday Shortbread Cookie Sale

Black Friday Starts Now

November 18, 2022

Shop Local, Change Lives

November 17, 2022
Vote for your favorite cookie dough flavor

Vote for Cookie Dough

November 9, 2022

Chef Israel Santiago

November 8, 2022

Second Harvest adds new signature product to “A Spoon Full Of Hope” line

November 7, 2022

Transforming Lives: Elvin’s Story

October 14, 2022

Food is more than a meal

August 10, 2022

Celebrating Culinary Training Success

July 7, 2022

Rep. Demings Presents Federal Funding to Second Harvest Food Bank

June 27, 2022

Transforming Lives: Nate’s Story

June 1, 2022

Celebrate Culinary Training Students’ Success

May 11, 2022

Charting a New Path, Thanks to You

March 17, 2022

P is for Persistence.

February 3, 2022

Time to Make a Change

January 26, 2022

Happiness is hot soup on a cold day

January 15, 2022

“This Program is Changing Me.”

January 13, 2022

Celebrating Culinary Success

December 8, 2021

Matilde Finds Culinary Success

November 24, 2021

Will you help us celebrate?

November 15, 2021

Florida Foodie: Enas Gebaly found ‘magic’ in baking

October 25, 2021
A Spoon Full of Hope Shortbread Cookies

A Spoon Full of Hope New Shortbread Cookie Flavors

October 1, 2021

Emily Tells All: How Culinary Training Helps the Community

August 27, 2021

Rep. Val Demings Requests Federal Funding for Culinary Training Program

July 20, 2021

New beginnings

June 24, 2021

Virtual Commencement Celebrates Culinary Graduates

June 21, 2021

Where Are the Workers? A Win-Win Solution to Florida’s Labor Shortage

May 17, 2021

Second Harvest Helps Fill Job Openings in Local Hospitality Industry

May 14, 2021

Second Harvest Receives $100,000 Simply Healthcare Foundation Grant in Support of Ongoing Hunger Relief Efforts

May 5, 2021

Mother’s Day Full of Hope

April 26, 2021

The Perfect Kitchen Hack – Tomato Basil Soup for Every Season!

April 8, 2021

Hop to it! A Spoon Full of Hope Easter Gifts are Here

March 18, 2021

Culinary Students Create Culinary Delights During Orlando’s First Cookie Crumb Rumble

February 12, 2021

Something Big is Brewing

December 9, 2020

Home for the Holidays

December 7, 2020

Shop Local and Give Back This Holiday Season

November 5, 2020

The Show Must Go On

June 25, 2020

Nourish Mom’s Soul this Mother’s Day with Gifts through A Spoon Full of Hope

April 29, 2020

A Spoon Full of Hope Ships to You

March 31, 2020

Rosemarie’s Story: “A new career is within my grasp.”

March 10, 2020

Luzmary’s Story: “Dreams do come true.”

February 3, 2020
Sofi's Story

Sofi’s Story: “I feel like I can do anything.”

December 23, 2019

Rachel’s Story: “The sky is the limit.”

December 12, 2019

Rachelle’s Story: “Everything is falling into place.”

December 10, 2019

Tikaya’s Story of Hope & Courage

December 3, 2019

Nina’s Story: “I appreciate you with all of my heart.”

October 23, 2019

Culinary graduates find sweet success.

October 8, 2019

Qui’s Story: “Second Harvest has given me my life back.”

June 13, 2019

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feedhopenow

Inspiring and engaging Central Florida to end hunger.
🍏 Use #feedhopenow for a chance to be featured.

The @floridafuturefarmer packed more than 80,000 p The @floridafuturefarmer packed more than 80,000 pounds of Fresh Florida produce this week for its annual service project! 👏400 members of the FFA joined Feeding Florida and Second Harvest team members to pack enough carrots and potatoes for 66,000 meals at the Caribe Royal. The project was sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union. 🥕🥔Thank you for taking action to support neighbors facing hunger! 🧡➡️Ways you can help at the link in bio.
Sometimes enticing kids (and adults) to eat more v Sometimes enticing kids (and adults) to eat more vegetables takes some creativity and a preparation shift! 🥕🥦Learn how Maureen Hawkins, Director of Health and Hunger Strategies at the food bank, prepares sweet potatoes that her kids find fun and delicious. 🍠#EatYourVegetablesDay
“This is only the beginning of what’s to come, “This is only the beginning of what’s to come,” said Melody, a Culinary Training Program graduate. 🎉On June 7, Second Harvest recognized 17 Culinary Training Program students during a graduation ceremony. Food bank staff, family, friends, and employers joined the celebration to recognize each student’s achievements. 🎓➡️Read more at the link in bio.
Second Harvest stands beside all the dads, stepdad Second Harvest stands beside all the dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, big brothers, guardians, caretakers and all other father figures in the Central Florida community! 🧡Happy Father's Day! 🎉feedhopenow.org 🍏
Nothing brings people together like good food! 🍽️📣Only FOUR WEEKS until the region's premier culinary event: @tastecfl!Your support helps provide more meals to more children facing hunger.➡️Tickets & event details: tastecfl.org
Food is medicine, and Volusia County residents can Food is medicine, and Volusia County residents can get a produce prescription. 🍏The food bank's Mobile Farmers Market initiative, in conjunction with the @florida.health in Volusia County, increases access to fresh produce for adults with hypertension. 🚐Residents who receive a referral shop for $36 worth of fresh produce each week when the specially outfitted refrigerated vehicle visits one of three Department of Health locations in Daytona Beach or Orange City, as pictured.➡️Read more at the link in bio.#communityhealthimprovementweek #foodismedicine
For 12 weeks this spring, kids and families at thr For 12 weeks this spring, kids and families at three @elcoc_ sites received 300 boxes of fresh produce as part of Project VEGGIE (Vegetable Eating Gets Going with Increased Exposure), a research partnership underway with @uflorida.The boxes contained 2,850 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies, like sweet potatoes, carrots, Granny Smith and Red Delicious apples, oranges, strawberries, kale, corn, broccoli, cucumber, blueberries, cauliflower and tomatoes.Getting kids to eat vegetables can be challenging, but this collaborative effort looks at how the impact of increased exposure may influence new eating patterns, improving health, and ultimately the well-being of our community.We can't wait to share results this fall! #CHIWeek
Community Health Improvement Week is a great time Community Health Improvement Week is a great time to bring awareness to the many ways improving community health and fighting hunger go hand in hand. 🍏Increasing access to nutritious foods not only fights hunger but also improves health outcomes for people facing food insecurity.Certified Nutritious Pantries are the food bank's feeding partners that implement practices including offering fresh produce, nutrition education classes, healthy recipe ideas, and more. Recently, several more partners have completed this milestone.➡️More about the Nutritious Pantry Network at the link in bio.
10 seconds of hope, because of you. Every day, 300 10 seconds of hope, because of you. Every day, 300,00 meals are distributed across Central Florida. Keep fighting hunger at FeedHopeNow.org. #food #foodbank #fooddistribution #secondharvest #feedhope #feedingamerica
"If can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hu "If can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger." 🚀This is a great opportunity to showcase your love for Second Harvest and passion for fighting childhood hunger this summer. 📣While these T-shirts are primarily about spreading awareness about food insecurity and fostering community spirit, they also serve as a conversation starter about the impact of the food bank and its supporters! 👕➡️Get yours today at the link in bio.
With your support, Second Harvest bridges the gap With your support, Second Harvest bridges the gap for kids and families all summer long. 🌞By driving semi-trucks packed with food to church parking lots, stocking local food pantry shelves and delivering kid-friendly meals to summer camps, libraries and community centers, kids like Tobias have the food they need to just be kids. 🚐“I love the food I get here,” Tobias says with a bright smile. His favorite part of lunch is fruit. “We get apples or oranges or bananas. I like it all.” 🍏Community support from donors, volunteers, and local feeding partners helps to brighten summer days with meals and hope. Thank you. 🧡➡️Read more about your impact on kids facing hunger this summer at the link in bio.
Sometimes fighting hunger means meeting people whe Sometimes fighting hunger means meeting people where they are, bringing food to their doors. 🍏Sharing Hope, one of the food bank's partners, gets food to the people who need it in an unconventional way, no drive-through distribution or dedicated food pantry. Instead, volunteers spend every Friday preparing meals, packing bags of groceries and heading out on the road to deliver food to neighbors. 🚐➡️Read more about how this group fights hunger on the road at the link in bio.
Culinary Training Program Picture Day! Toward th Culinary Training Program Picture Day! Toward the end of the program, students have the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken. They can use these photos in their future culinary careers. Learn more about the Culinary Training Program at the #linkinbio. #pictureday #headshot #culinary #culinaryschool #feedhopenow
Grateful for @hiclubvacations this #ThankfulThursd Grateful for @hiclubvacations this #ThankfulThursday! 🎉🧡They donated a pallet-wrapper, an absolute essential at the food bank's distribution center. Team members from Holiday Inn Club Vacations recently volunteered at the food banks and got to see their donation in action.➡️More ways to help fight hunger at the link in bio.
✨It's exciting to be nominated for Best Local Ch ✨It's exciting to be nominated for Best Local Charitable Group in the Best of Orlando poll and to be in such good company with impact-driven organizations —thank you, @orlandoweekly readers!!! 🎉➡️Vote at the link in bio, and thank you for all your continued support to fight hunger and feed hope in Central Florida. 🧡
Ensuring your family has a hunger-free and hope-fi Ensuring your family has a hunger-free and hope-filled summer! 🌞From free meals for kids 18 and younger at Summer Break Spots, to more than 870 feeding partners across Central Florida, to help with SNAP benefits, here are ways to find help with food security this summer.🍏 Food Finder🍏 Summer Break Spot🍏 Benefits Connection➡️More about how to help and find help this summer at the link in bio.
Things are getting better for Amy because of you. Things are getting better for Amy because of you. 🧡She stepped away from her career as a professional chef to stay at home and raise her son. When her boyfriend lost his job, Amy sought ways to stretch their budget without compromising nutrition. She discovered a food pantry supported by Second Harvest. 🍏“It’s those little things that help us get the day by, get the month by,” Amy says.➡️Read more about Amy's gratitude for food bank supporters at the link in bio.
As schools and cafeterias close for the summer, ma As schools and cafeterias close for the summer, many children and families, who rely on school-provided meals for critical nutrition, are left facing a summer of worry and hunger.By taking action, you can help fill the gap of nutritious meals to children and families, ensuring a hunger-free summer. 🧡Ways to Help:🍏Donate.🍏Volunteer.🍏Start a Food and Fund Drive.feedhopenow.org➡️Read more about fighting summer hunger at the link in bio.
Groups of all kinds and sizes volunteer at the foo Groups of all kinds and sizes volunteer at the food bank! 🍏The Orlando 'Canes, the local chapter of the @umiami_alumni, showed up in force to help at our main distribution center. 🧡💚Gather your co-workers, club members or neighbors and come fight hunger at Second Harvest!📣➡️Sign up to volunteer at the link in bio.
Once enrolled in the Culinary Training Program, Ca Once enrolled in the Culinary Training Program, Carmen began to flourish. She adapted quickly to the rhythm of the kitchen, steadily gaining confidence and self-assurance. 🍽️“Now I’m cooking from scratch,” Carmen explained with pride.Over 16 weeks, the program teaches students like Carmen the essential skills for a new career in food service. 🍝Carmen has transformed from a program participant to a culinary professional. She is leveraging the skills and support she gained from the program to carve a successful career at a local theme park. 🧡➡️Read more about Carmen's life transformation at the link in bio.
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About Us

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 500 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida. Through the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes enough food for a quarter of a million meals every day to the six-county service area. Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. By investing in job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods, and inspiring our community to get involved, SHFBCF is leaning into the root causes of hunger and transforming lives. With the support of our Central Florida community, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit FeedHopeNow.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 59-2142315 Email: info@feedhopenow.org

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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
411 Mercy Drive, Orlando, Florida 32805
(p) 407-295-1066
Click here for more information.

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